Nature Conservators Propose Signs for STX East End

The majority of participants in a virtual town hall agreed proposed signage and a gate for a popular hiking area on the East End of St. Croix. Presenters from The Nature Conservancy, East End Marine Park, University of the Virgin Islands and Department of Planning and Natural Resources outlined the proposal for the participants. Celeste Jarvis, director of The Nature Conservancy, narrated a slide show with photos of proposed signs and a gate to prevent four-wheeling vehicles plowing new trails. The Nature Conservancy owns the land, and it is managed by the V.I. Government. The placement of the gate will prevent vehicles from driving Goat Hill, where at least one car has gone over a cliff, destroying the vehicle. The passengers had jumped out and were safe before the vehicle plunged an estimated 600 feet, she said.

“Once somebody drives that, it looks like a road and everybody does it,” Jarvis said of the obvious dirt trails up and down Goat Hill created by vehicles.

The signs will label areas with “No Parking” and “No Vehicles” messages and welcome and informational sign will give the background and history of the area and identify plants. Signs will be places near Point Udall labeling trails to Jack and Isaac bays.

John Farchette, park ranger for DPNR, Coastal Zone Management and the East End Marine Park, said the DPNR enforcement officer has the authority to enforce the regulatory signs. The V.I. Police Department can also impose fines for ignoring the rules, he added.